Daily Dialgoue — February 29, 2012

INT. BRAD’S OFFICE — DAY

Brad is seated behind his desk, reading a document. Lester sits across from him, smiling.

BRAD: (reads) “…my job consists of basically masking my contempt for the assholes in charge, and, at least once a day, retiring to the men’s room so I can jerk off, while I fantasize about a life that doesn’t so closely resemble hell.” (looks up at Lester) Well, you obviously have no interest in saving yourself.

LESTER: (laughs) Brad, for fourteen years I’ve been a whore for the advertising industry. The only way I could save myself now is if I start firebombing.

BRAD: Whatever. Management wants you gone by the end of the day.

LESTER: Well, just what sort of severance package is “management” prepared to offer me? Considering the information I have about our editorial director buying pussy with company money… which I’m sure would interest the I.R.S., since it technically constitutes fraud. And I’m sure that some of our advertisers and rival publications might like to know about it as well. Not to mention, Craig’s wife.

BRAD: (sighs) What do you want?

LESTER: One year’s salary, with benefits.

BRAD: That’s not going to happen.

LESTER: Well, what do you say I throw in a little sexual harassment charge to boot?

BRAD: (laughs) Against who?

LESTER: Against you. Can you prove you didn’t offer to save my job if I’d let you blow me?

Brad leans back in his chair, studying Lester.

BRAD: Man. You are one twisted fuck.

LESTER: Nope. I’m just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose.

— Lester (Kevin Spacey), Brad (Barry Del Sherman), American Beauty (1999), written by Alan Ball

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is getting fired, suggested by lizswan. Today’s suggestion by summertime.

Trivia: Thora Birch, who played Jane Burnham, starred in a movie I co-wrote called Alaska.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Awakened from his lethargy by the sexual fantasies of Angela, this scene is one of the first in Lester’s metamorphosis.